Univision’s vision

Local network affiliate begins live, nightly news broadcast.

By Sheila Murphy Cantillon

South Coast Beacon

To see Chris Roman walk around the newly built set in Univision’s studio at 7000 Hollister Avenue, one thing is clear: he is one orgullosos (proud) guy.

Having relocated to the Santa Barbara system from Palm Springs earlier this year, the general manager of Santa Barbara’s Univision station is most excited by the new live, nightly news broadcast, Noticias Costa Central.

“I really feel blessed to be at this place, at this time, with these people,” gestures Roman, as he strolls through the set that houses his news show. “We really have a passion for this, because the way we see it we really are broadcasting to our families.”

Anchors Andres Angulo and Martha Saldana are young and experienced journalists, both having come from other Univision systems. Roman refers to his staff of approximately 30 as “associates,” rather than employees.

“You know what?” he said, “It’s not an attempt to be progressive. … I’m an old-fashioned guy. It’s how our company prefers to think of the people who work with us.

“When you look at what we get done with the people we have it’s impressive. It’s that old achievement drive. If you give people the opportunity and they are achievement oriented they will not disappoint you.”

Univison’s parent company, Entravision Communications Corporation, currently has 22 Univision affiliates around the country, as well as 15 Telefutura affiliates, another Spanish language network, and 60 Spanish language radio stations.

Additionally the company owns a third network, Galavision, which is the largest Spanish-language cable network in the country. Entravision’s media entity reaches approximately

80 percent of Hispanic consumers across the United States, as well as the border markets of Mexico.

Univision’s Santa Barbara station has been around since April 2001, and the addition of its new nightly news broadcasts has been on the drawing board for some time.

“The idea to launch a local news program at this station pre-dates my arrival,” said Roman. “Entravision at virtually all of its Univision affiliates has invested in local news. News is critical to any television station’s success and profile in the market. Univision furnishes the programming that most Hispanics like to watch.”

The excitement surrounding the launch of Noticias Costa Central on Oct. 27 was the culmination of much planning and hard work.

“It’s like birthing a baby,” said Roman, “like opening the doors for the first time. The sheer joy amidst all the running around … and there are always things that go wrong. We had some late deliveries of pieces of equipment, but that’s all part of the news business.”

The inaugural show featured some notable guests: Congresswoman Lois Capps, Fernando Gamboa, the Mexican consul based in Oxnard, and a taped interview with State Assemblyman Abel Maldonado.

Future broadcasts will focus on finance, top stories in Mexico, Sacramento and other California communities. The program will also prominently feature special reports on subjects ranging from health, education, immigration, entertainment, beauty, fashion, automotive reviews and local personalities.

Noticias Costa Central can be seen locally on KPMR on Channel 38 from 6-6:30 p.m. and again from 11-11:30 p.m. On Cox Communications, Charter and Comcast cable systems, it can be found on Channel 16. Its broadcast area is from Oxnard to Paso Robles.